Codeliusthe2nd

45 Years

Charlotte Rampling is a powerhouse, offering one of the most humane performances I have ever seen. 45 Years is a powerful film, one that is meditative on the concepts of secrecy, age, and trust. I am left aghast by this film, and am shocked that it took me this long to watch.

Aakansha

45 Years

Feels low stakes (plotwise, for the audience, nothing super crazy is revealed, no ‘oh he did it’ etc) yet is high stakes (for the character) I liked how when kate finds out something that shakes up her world, it is reflected in the sound design — wind (&in the projection scene even water). The framing/blocking of the projector scene is also cool: we see the photos switching on the backside of the cloth, giving the feeling of katya’s image being a mirage, while we see kate a bit further behind, in solid form; she finds out about a big truth that gives cadence to her worst fears and worries, after only recently trying to trivialize their connection, in her jealousy. Highlighting both how she feels—that geoff thinks she’s not enough for him cuz he’s so caught up in the situation— that she comes after Katya, a second choice/ him settling; and that given the circumstances of her death, it’s kind of understandable he’s invested cuz now what remains are the memories, the mystery and the idea of her. Ultimately who knows what would’ve happened if that incident hadn’t taken place, maybe they would’ve married and had that child but does that mean they would’ve stayed together their whole lives? And he talked about Katya and the Kerouac guy connecting, and yeah, she had agency too, she was a person with her own thoughts and feelings and ideas about her life. But obviously the betrayal by not revealing key things from that past in their 45 years is not easily forgivable. the perfume line is a knockout. Which brings us to another scene I really liked — their first dance at the party and the blue lighting (which reminded me of All That Heaven Allows). he tries to make it up to her that day—I think his speech was the truth—and she tries to be receptive & tries put on a happy face. then Smoke Gets in Your Eyes plays and it possibly brings up all that she had felt and believed about their relationship when it was played 45 years ago & brought to the moment she talked about playing it at this event a week ago vs their present reality. he does his little dance in a lighthearted, fun way. “When a lovely flame dies,” and she’s on the verge of tears. maybe they can’t (just) start over. A quietly heart-wrenching scene. so well shot. You don’t see films like this about old people anymore “It’s funny how you forget the things in life that make you happy” that’s me when I watch a movie after a long time